Game 12, 2024

Dodgers at Cubs, 11:20 AM PDT, TV: Marquee Sports Network, SPNLA

RHP Gavin Stone (0-0, 5.40 ERA) takes the hill for the Dodgers; he’ll face LHP Shota Imanaga (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Here’s what MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan had to say about Imanaga’s first start in the big leagues:

Although it came on a chilly day at Wrigley Field against a Rockies lineup that isn’t exactly a juggernaut, Shota Imanaga’s debut was still mighty impressive. The left-hander, who signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Cubs in the offseason after a stellar career in his native Japan, carried a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings and finished with nine K’s and no walks over six scoreless frames. Including Spring Training, Imanaga has struck out 34 of the 81 batters he has faced (42%) in a Cubs uniform, which is a great indication that he has the stuff to excel at the Major League level.

Imanaga leaned heavily on his four-seamer during his dominant debut, throwing it 60.9% of the time and holding Colorado hitters hitless with four strikeouts in 13 at-bats ending on the pitch. The southpaw’s splitter, though, was the true star of the show.

Imanaga consistently threw his splitter down and out of the strike zone, but Rox batters had trouble laying off of it. Of the 15 swings they took against Imanaga’s splitter on the day, 12 came up empty, good for an 80% whiff rate. That included the final pitch in a 13-pitch battle with Ryan McMahon. Given how similar Imanaga’s four-seamer and splitter look coming out of his hand, the two pitches could prove to be a devastating combo all year long.

The Dodgers’ Japanese pitcher got some high praise from his own team and the opponents after his outing today too.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1969 After throwing just two pitches to start the season, Don Drysdale finds himself and his team trailing by two runs when Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan hit back-to-back homers. The 32 year-old right-hander settles down, and the Dodgers come back to win the Crosley Field contest, 3-2.
  • 1969 Bill Singer becomes the first major league reliever to officially record a save, a new stat which will be kept starting this season, in the Dodgers’ 3-2 win over Cincinnati in the season-opener at Crosley Field. The ‘Singer Throwing Machine’ does not allow a hit, hurling three scoreless innings en route to saving Don Drysdale’s victory.
  • 1977 Gary Thomasson starts the game by walloping the first pitch in the Dodgers’ opener for a home run off Don Sutton, who had apparently thrown a gopher ball. Unbeknownst to the Giants’ leadoff hitter, the ball was to be taken for a pitch and handed to the home plate umpire to be sent to Cooperstown.
  • 1977 Frank Sinatra keeps his promise to Tommy Lasorda by singing the Star-Spangled Banner on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. ‘Old Blue Eyes’ had told the team’s new skipper he would perform the National Anthem if his friend ever became the L.A. manager.

  • 2012 Octavio Dotel, playing for his 13th team, breaks a major league record he previously shared with Mike Morgan, Matt Stairs, and Ron Villone. The 39 year-old Tiger reliever, who throws 1.1 scoreless innings against Boston, has also appeared with the Mets, Astros, A’s, Yankees, Royals, Braves, White Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, Rockies, Blue Jays, and Cardinals.

Lineups when available.

37 thoughts on “Game 12, 2024

    • Which game? Did they even play today?

      See – I’ve forgotten it already.

  1. Not that it matters at all – but that was a really bad strike 3 call on Outman.

  2. Looks like Dodgers won’t win (or tie) every series they play this year.

  3. Feels like the Dodgers already need more starting pitching depth. Hoping Buehler is the answer when he returns in a couple of weeks.

    • And it seems both teams are continuing to play like they did before the rain delay. Woof.

    • I don’t believe that Plunkett is correct. See Link’s earlier post. I found the same information as Link did. In any event, the likelihood of rain is expected to diminish as the day goes on.

      • Plunkett is on site, but it may be a moot question as it appears the game will restart shortly – though it should’ve been called hours ago.

    • Thanks, I expect that the umpires will wait several hours before calling it off.

  4. If the game is not resumed, does it continue at a later date with the Cubs ahead 6-0, or is it totally erased?

  5. This is definitely an issue of the new schedule. You rarely return to a city outside of your own division so you have to play through rain.

    • Maybe they will play the Brewers or White Sox on the road and add a makeup game.

  6. I was feeling bad for Stone until I realized 4 of the 5 runs scored were unearned.

  7. Dodgers batting like they are double parked and the parking police are a block away.

  8. Chris Taylor provides the Dodgers with remarkable defensive options. But he has now struck out 9 times in 18 at bats after fanning 20 times in 38 ABs in spring training.

  9. The Dodgers lead the NL West by three games over Arizona and San Diego. No leader in any of the other five divisions is in front by more than one-and-a-half games.I know it is extremely early in the season, but that is an excellent start.

  10. My wife organized Sunday brunch at an unfortunate day and time, but at least our guests are Dodger fans.